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David C. Gooch
David C. Gooch is a minister, earning his Master’s in Biblical Counseling in 2008. David is the husband of Deborah Gooch, an elementary teacher for the Fort Smith Public Schools, a...view moreDavid C. Gooch is a minister, earning his Master’s in Biblical Counseling in 2008. David is the husband of Deborah Gooch, an elementary teacher for the Fort Smith Public Schools, and the father of Meagan Gooch, and Jonathan Gooch.
David has always held a love for western movies and writings, along with his daughter Meagan, his father John Gooch, grandfather Luther Gooch and his God-father, William Birdsong. From a very young age, David was introduced to the writings of Louis L’Amour and the classic western movies with John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Audie Murphy. David lives in Fort Smith, AR., which is home to the icon of western justice - Isaac Parker, and is the home of the Marshal’s Museum, and the referenced hometown in the newly remade John Wayne classic, “True Grit.” David’s writings mostly stem from the importance of justice in our American system that is no more exemplified than the lack of it in the old west. Being a citizen of Fort Smith, AR., David was influenced greatly by the heroic dedication of men like Judge Isaac C. Parker and U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves.
Fort Smith resides on the border of Arkansas and Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. In the 1800’s, Fort Smith was the only U.S. Court and the only post for law enforcement for what was one of the roughest destinations for some of the west’s most notorious outlaws. Judge Isaac Parker was known as the Hanging Judge due to his thirst for justice and a quick sentence. Judge Parker had many marshals and deputies who risked their lives entering Indian Territory in order to bring to justice the bandits, murderers and horse thieves who would escape into the rough territory to hide from the law. During his career, Judge Parker tried over 13,490 cases, 344 of which were capital crimes, and 9,454 of the cases resulting in guilty pleas or convictions. Over 160 men were sentenced to death by hanging, although only 79 were actually executed. Judge Parker died of exhaustion after years of working six days a week, ten to twelve hour days. One of his most famous quotes can still be heard throughout the territories, “I have ever had the single aim of justice in view…’Do equal and exact justice,’ is my motto, and I have often said to the grand jury, ‘Permit no innocent man to be punished, but let no guilty man escape.” Judge Isaac Parker 1896view less
Books by David C. Gooch
Caliber of Justice: Volume 2 Caliber of Justice: Volume 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMassacres at New Madrid Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings